Half-Life: Counterstrike
"de_dust" Map Strategy Guide Version 1
This document Copyright 2002 Acelyte
Any questions, suggestions, or submissions? E-mail them to:
csfanGary@aol.com
If you don't receive a reply, try csfan86@yahoo.com
If I put your submission up, I'll also give you credit, of course.
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Table of Contents:
1. Legal Copyright Protection
2. Introduction to Counterstrike
3. Map Info and Strategic Locations
4. Terrorist Strategy
5. Counter-Terrorist Strategy
6. Versions
7. Credits
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Legal Copyright Protection
This document cannot be reproduced in any way without my permission,
unless for private use. If I do give you permission, you MUST give
credit. It cannot be sold. It definitely CANNOT be altered in any
way. It's as simple as that...
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Introduction to Counterstrike
Counterstrike is a first-person shooter game and a MOD for Half-Life.
Here's how it works: There are two teams of players (Terrorists and
Counter-Terrorists); obviously, winning requires teamwork in this game.
One team works together to achieve objectives in real-life Terrorism
scenarios (Bomb Defuse, VIP Assassination, Hostage Rescue, etc.) while
the other team tries to prevent that from happening using modern
weaponry (Pistols, Shotguns, Submachine Guns, Rifles, M249 FN Para
machine gun, and HE Grenades). If a team achieves their objective,
that team wins; if the defending team prevents that or if time runs out
for that scenario, the other team wins. You can also eliminate all of
your opponents to win, but that isn't as fun imo. Besides, de_dust is
a Bomb Defuse scenario map; even if you kill all the Terrorists, you
must still defuse the bomb to win if they managed to plant it at one of
the 2 bomb sites.
_______________________________________________________________________
3. General Info about the map
de_dust, as mentioned before, is a Bomb Defuse map. The Terrorist must
plant the C4 bomb at one of the 2 bomb sites, one of which is right
next to the CT (Counter-Terrorist) base; also, they must protect the
bomb from being defused. It gives a mix of close range (inside the
tunnel) combat, as well as long range (underpass). Here's a rough
sketch of the map:
Legend: +-------------------------------------------+
-, |, + = wall/corner | |
v, >, ^ = slope | second bomb site CT Base |
(direction of arrow | area of boxes |
gives its direction) | |vvvvvvvv+ - - - - - - - - - -V- +
V, >, <, ^ = stairs | vvvvvvvv| |
direction of arrow | |vvvvvvvv +----------------+ |
shows direction down) | H vvvvvvvv| | | |
\ = parts of double doors | |vvvvvvvv | | |
- - = small ledge (low + - - - - -+vvvvvvvv| | | |
enough to jump on | | | G |
only if you are on | | | |
the higher ground | | | |
b = key boxes | | | |
| area of boxes +----------------+ |
Note: To distinguish the | |
slope from stairs, the | I | | |
slope is represented by +-------+----+- M -+ ----------------+
clustered symbols. | | | |
| | +---------------- D |
+-------------------------+------------+ |
| first bomb site K\ - - - - - - - - - - -+
| N \ >>>>>>>>>>>>> area |
| area of boxes \ L >>>>>>>>>>>>> of b4|
| J \ - - - - - - + boxes |
+ - - - - - + +--------+ |
| area | | | +----------------------+ | path |
| of | | C | | E goes |
| boxes > +--------+ +--------------+ | | under |
|b5 | F< b1 | | b3 B |
+-----------+---------------------+ A +-------+ + - - - -+
| area of b2 |
| boxes +---------------------+
| |
| +---+ (underpass
| | not shown)
| |
| |
+--------------+ +--------------------------
| area of boxes (area to the right
| is of little importance)
| +------------------------------------+ - - - -+
| | |^^^^^^^^
| | |^^^^^^^^|
| | |^^^^^^^^
+------------------+ +------------------------+ |^^^^^^^^|
| < | |^^^^^^^^
| < area | |^^^^^^^^|
| < of | |^^^^^^^^
| Terrorist | area boxes +-----------+^^^^^^^^|
| Base of |
| | boxes
| + - - - - - - - (area to the right
| <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< is of little
| <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< | importance)
+------------------------------------------------+---------------------
The letters throughout the map are key points you should know about.
The same thing goes for the boxes.
NOTES: The following strategies are for the purpose of getting wins,
not kills (I don't play that way.), so they require the cooperation of
the entire team (or at least the majority of it). Also, some of them
will only work if you get to those points as quickly as possible. You
usually must have an HE Grenade and 2 Flashbangs because most of these
strategies require many grenades. Furthermore, your teammates must
also have grenades and act as if they are in sync (Playing on a LAN
cafe is perfect for this; however, the opposing team must not be in the
same LAN cafe.). If this isn't the case, either use the "say_team"
command and hope they will cooperate or use some of the strategies to
better your gameplay.
Point A:
Terrorist: This is where the action starts. From here, you can rush
through to point F, C, and the box 2 area.
CT: Since your skins provide excellent camouflage, you can sneak in via
point F, use the radio command "Get into position and wait for my go,"
hide behind box 1, and throw a Flashbang in there, say "Go, go, go!" if
the Terrorists are camping in there for some reason. If they're
rushing to the first bomb site, ignore this area. If they're going
through one of the 2 right paths, you can probably get them from
behind.
Point B:
Terrorist: Once you get out of the underpass, you will be in a part of
the CT territory in which they can easily ambush you from box 4, box 2,
and point D. To solve this, take care of point D by staying on the
right side (preferably out of sight from point E and hitting the CT
there with your AK-47 (best weapon imo when taking this route) every
time he pops out. If he has a sniper rifle, side-step and shoot; AK is
accurate enough. Don't take too long to do so; if the other half of
the team fail to break through the tunnel (point A), the CTs might get
you from behind. Then stay on the right side (out of sight from box
4), say "Fall back, team!" and throw a Flashbang straight into the air,
blinding anyone at point E and box 2! Then say "Go, go, go!" and run
through, checking if there's anyone at box 4. In the event that they
Flashbang you first, try and picture point B (after the underpass) and
throw your own in that direction and hide. If you're close enough to
point B, run out until you think you're out of the underpass, throw it
straight into the air, hide, and say "Go, go, go!" That way, you can
get your team to point L somewhat safely.
CT: Although you can surround them from many different angles, point D
and box 4 are points you should use because if you get flashed, the
Terrorists will get through. However, you delay that with a point D
man, as well as one on box 4. You can also drop a Flashbang at the
center side of the underpass from point D, say "Go, go, go!" and get
your teammates from point E or box 2 to kill as many blind Terrorists
as they can. Beware of anyone that is hiding at the back ranks.
Point C:
Terrorist: If you're going to rush the first bomb site, aim an HE
Grenade or Flashbang (only if you're leading the rush) at this location
to prevent any CT from stopping you there. If you're going to rush the
first bomb site via this route for some reason, you will need to throw
another Flashbang through the slit of the double doors at point K.
Make sure your team covers you and that there isn't any CT at point K
before wielding your Flashbang. Then run through to kill any CTs that
beat you there. If you're going for the second one, good luck.
Instead of throwing a Flashbang at point K, throw it so that it lands
on point L, blinding anyone at that location, point M, D, and box 4!
Kill any enemy you see.
CT: Rushing through this location is not advised due to the risk of
getting blinded. Instead, run through the double doors to intercept
them if they're going for the first bomb site; you will always beat
them to it without having to fear any attacks from this location. If
you want, you can bounce a Flashbang off a wall and into point A as
soon as you come up to point C; if aimed correctly, you can stop the
rushing Terrorists momentarily, allowing you to take advantage.
Point D:
Terrorist: Use this point to go to the second bomb site via point G and
after you plant the bomb. This location will cover both entrances
there. Even better, none of the CTs will see it coming except for the
ones going through the double doors. If you're the only one left, make
sure no one got past you via point M by listening to the footsteps.
CT: Very useful since you can either shoot any Terrorist at the box 2
area, point B, point C, and the double doors. The best thing is that
anyone at point B will have trouble shooting at you because you can
just duck back. The problem is, you can't guard all those points at
once! That's why you have some of your teammates camping at the same
spot.
Point E:
Terrorist: Beware of any CT hiding behind point E, point D, and box 4.
Hide behind a wall at point A and chuck a Flashbang above point B as
high up in the air as you can so that it will blind anyone at point E,
point D, and if a CT is not awake, box 4. This strategy is risky
unless you have buddies backing you up.
CT: If you choose to take this location, watch out for any Terrorists
who might pop out. Other than that, you can shoot any Terrorists who
are at point B. It's better if you go to box 2.
Point F:
Terrorist: Once you've run past point C, wield your Flashbang and throw
it to stop any CTs approaching. No, not straight ahead so that you get
blinded too. You see, the map I sketched may not show it, but there is
a part of the wall past point F (to the left of the little stairs)
that's angled at 45 degrees up ahead as you reach that point; bounce it
off there as high up in the air as you can and it will blind any CT
approaching. As you (hopefully along with others) make your way to the
first bomb site, kill any slower CTs going through the double doors,
make sure someone is guarding point C or at least F, get someone else
to guard the double doors from any further surprises, plant away, and
guard the bomb. Speaking of guarding the bomb, camp at the little spot
between the fake door and point C; you can guard both entrances to the
site this way. If the CTs get wise to this, check the tunnel when you
hear footsteps and take potshots at them.
CT: Since you will always beat them to the first bomb site, approach
this location at an angle so that you can bounce a Flashbang into the
tunnel, blinding any Terrorists, allowing you to get some kills...
assuming there are Terrorists there in the first place...
Point G:
Terrorist: If you want to plant the bomb at the second bomb site, you
might want to consider taking this route instead of the ramp up there;
any CT waiting for you at point I and H might catch you if you don't.
Once you've planted the bomb, read the paragraph below, substitute
"Terrorist" with "CT," and forget about the "planting the bomb" part of
that.
CT: Make sure to guard this route if you suspect that the Terrorists
might be planting the bomb at the second bomb site. If you hear
footsteps, check this point; if there's a Terrorist coming your way,
take potshots at him from your cover and then ducking back. If he's
gone and takes the ramp up instead, go to point H. If he's halfway out
of the point G corridor, throw a Flashbang in there and finish him; he
can't run to cover in time before you do so.
Point H:
Terrorist: The only reason you would be in the CT base is to guard the
bomb after you plant it. Keep patrolling between point G (Don't
actually go there; just guard it.) and point H. If the CT takes the
ramp up, you can easily take potshots at him, going from box to box,
and confusing him.
CT: Read the paragraph above, except for the first sentence; replace CT
with "Terrorist."
Point I:
Terrorist: Not very useful unless you want to ambush a CT coming
through point M to defuse a bomb you planted; fortunately, he probably
won't be expecting it since it's usually the CTs who use it. But just
in case he takes the point G route, edge out a little to take a peek
when you hear footsteps.
CT: Pretty much the same idea as above.
Point J:
Terrorist: It's probably one of the most common camping points one uses
after planting the bomb. Just watch out for any Flashbangs or HE
Grenades the CTs might throw at you if you use it too much. They might
even spray through the double doors to get you. Point K imo is better.
CT: Not very useful because you'll only be guarding one of the
entrances to one of the bomb sites. And again, point K is better.
Point K:
Terrorist: The good thing about this is that you'll see the grenades
coming and get out of the way so that they won't cause too much damage.
Also, they cannot spray through the doors without you seeing them.
Furthermore, if there's heavy opposition or a skirmish on the other
side, you'll be the perfect position to throw a Flashbang or HE grenade
right through.
CT: If point F is secure, you can use this spot to kill any Terrorists
who might try to get to the first bomb site through the doors. You can
also shoot the first Terrorist you see who tries to run to the second
site via point C.
Point L:
Terrorist: You do not want to be running through here because you are
susceptible to any CTs at the same location, point D, box 4, and point
M. If you're here, you'll most likely be going for the second bomb
site via point M or point D. The latter is safer imo unless either you
haven't killed all the CTs over there or a CT at point M or H saw you.
CT: Since you're in open area, you might want to stick with crouch-
style shooting. Fortunately, if your teammates camp here with you,
you'll be covering 3 of the 4 entrances to the bomb sites. Guard this
spot well.
Point M:
Terrorist: If you're going to plant the bomb at the second bomb site,
you might want to avoid this spot, which leaves you susceptible to
point H and I. Fortunately, if you planted the bomb, you can camp
right behind the archway to kill any unsuspecting CTs whether they go
through point M or to point G.
CT: Pretty much the same thing applies, but you can also kill any
Terrorists at point L who are busy finishing off your teammates.
Point N:
Terrorist: If you position yourself correctly, you can throw Flashbangs
or HE Grenades right through the slit of the double doors and maybe
even peek through for a chance to pick off any CTs already busy with
point C, A, D, and if one of them is busy with point B, box 4.
CT: No use.
Box 1:
Terrorist: Camp between this box and point F so that you can guard both
entrances to the first bomb site; it's one of the best camping spots
for Terrorists. If they get wise to this, check the tunnel if you hear
footsteps and take potshots.
CT: Not very useful unless the Terrorists can't break through from
point A to C or F. Besides, if any Terrorist saw you making a dash
here, you're dead if he has an ounce of skill.
Box 2:
Terrorist: If you managed to get here, watch out for CTs at point E, D,
and box 4. It's not a good spot to take a breather since you have no
cover unless you go inside the tunnels toward point A. From here, go
on to point L or back to A if you're being overwhelmed (if you even get
the chance).
CT: If you managed to get here, you can kill any Terrorist at point B
without too much trouble or any slower ones coming from point A.
Box 3:
Terrorist: Use them as cover from any CTs at point D, box 4, and
whoever jumps down from point E or box 2. You should use pretty much
the same strategy as point B.
CT: Useless.
Box 4:
Terrorist: Pretty much the same strategy as point D.
CT: Pretty much the same strategy as point D.
Box 5:
Terrorist: After you plant the bomb, you can use this spot to kill any
CTs who came through point F, but not through the double doors, unless
they are busy dealing with Terrorists at point J.
CT: Almost impossible to reach if the Terrorists rushed the first bomb
site as quickly as possible because you have to use the little stairs
to get up there, which makes you susceptible to any Terrorists at point
F. But if that isn't the case, it's a great place to guard the site,
especially if you get your teammates to sidetrack the Terrorists at
point C.
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4. Terrorist Strategy
It's a Bomb Defuse map; you're on offense and the CTs are on defense,
so your team must rush. The worst matches I've ever played involved
the Terrorists camping at point A, always losing because the CTs attack
from all sides after I get killed rushing the first bomb site from lack
of cover fire. Also, you should always stick together; never split up
unless it's necessary. Even then, you should only split into 2 groups,
no more. The problem with this is that if one half of your team who
has the bomb is dead, your half must retrieve it. If you keep track of
your team, finding it is no problem; getting it to a bomb site is
another story if the CTs guard it. And they will most likely have
M4A1s, so side-step when fighting them; don't be surprised if you get
shot in the head. Anyway, most people don't know this, but here's a
secret--you can actually plant the bomb on top of the boxes in both
bomb sites! Here's a diagram:
+-------------------+
| bb+-------------------------------------------------+
| bbX Bb |
| bb ............................ |
| ..........CT Base........... |
| ............................ |
To the rest of the map
|
V
In the second bomb site, the X is where you should be, while facing the
boxes right next to you. Now hold the "W" key, move forward, jump, and
then crouch before you reach the peak of your jump; you are now on top
of the box! There is a way you can get on top of the large box between
you and the CT base from the top of the box you just jumped on, but
it's very hard. Anyway, to show you how to do the same thing at the
first bomb site, here's another diagram (I will only show the most
important ones):
+-------------------------
| bbvvvXbb
| b
|
|
|
|
If you look at where the v's are, you will see a little incline toward
the wall. Stand against the wall where the X is, face the v's, make a
running jump onto the boxes to the left of the v's. Plant away once
you get on top...err...scratch that; once you're in the bombing
vicinity (When the C4 starts flashing, you should have taken it out by
then.), hold the fire button. If you're good enough, you will be able
to jump on the boxes and plant just in time to save a few seconds;
trust me, in some cases, it can mean the difference between a success
and failure. Even better, get your teammate to do this along with you,
make him crouch, jump on the higher boxes at either of the bomb sites
and plant away; the CTs won't know where it is! After planting the
bomb, throw a Smoke Grenade somewhere near it. Rotate shifts among
your teammates guarding the points to throw more Smoke Grenades near
the bomb. In case all of you get killed too early, they'll have a more
difficult time spotting the bomb. If you don't, beware that when the
bomb explodes, you and your teammates will be killed if you're caught
in the blast and close enough. Here's the trick: when its starts
beeping fast (before it beeps very fast, in which after that is the
detonation), scan one last time for CTs, use the radio command, "Get
out of there! It's gonna blow!" and run like hell! Even if the CTs
arrive at that time, it's too late, even with a Defuse Kit. The best
weapons to use on this map for Terrorists imo are AK-47 and Mac-10 (if
you're strapped for cash). Pick up an M4A1 if you kill a CT who had
it; it has no weakness whatsoever.
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Counter-Terrorist Strategy
Fortunately, you have your M4A1s, so use them. Same thing goes for the
Defuse Kits. Unfortunately, you have to split up your group to defend
both bomb sites. What you can do, though, is utilize the good camping
spots, such as point D, box 4, point I and box 5. If you manage to
kill the bomb-bearer, hide somewhere nearby to guard the bomb and use
the radio command "Regroup, Team" or "Hold this Position" so that
you'll have the whole team guarding the bomb; chances are the
Terrorists that might come across you are isolated threats, so it's not
that hard to do so. If the Terrorists regularly monitor the bomb-
bearer's location, though, be prepared for a big shoot-out.
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Versions
Version 1 on April 20, 2002. This one.
Version 2 will include any correction or new strategies.
_______________________________________________________________________
7. Credits
Thanks to:
- CJayC for posting my FAQ up.
- The ppl on the internet I learned the bomb-planting tricks from, as
well as the battle tactics; unfortunately, I can't remember the IP
addresses or usernames.